Tonight, I’m going to the movies with my husband Sebastian and one of my closest friends, Russell. On paper, it’s just a movie night, some popcorn, a theater seat, and Pixar’s newest film, Hoppers. But if you know me, you know Pixar movies are never just another night out. They’re something I genuinely look forward to in a way that feels both nostalgic and meaningful.
Pixar films have always had a special place in my life. They manage to take the most imaginative ideas, toys that talk, emotions living inside our heads, a robot wandering a lonely planet, and turn them into stories that feel incredibly human. You laugh. Sometimes you cry when you least expect it. And when the credits roll, you walk out feeling like the story stayed with you.
That’s the magic of Pixar.
But there’s something else about these films that matters culturally, too. In an era when entertainment often feels built around franchises, sequels, and familiar formulas, Pixar’s original storytelling still feels refreshing. These films remind us that creativity and heart can still exist in mainstream cinema. They show audiences, both kids and adults, that imagination isn’t something we outgrow.
That matters.
Stories shape how we understand the world, and Pixar has always understood that animation can carry powerful themes. Their films talk about grief, identity, friendship, belonging, and environmental responsibility in ways that are accessible but never simplistic. They remind us that animated films aren’t just for children, but that they are there for anyone willing to feel something.
That’s part of why I’m excited for Hoppers. The film follows a young woman who uses technology to “hop” into a robotic beaver so she can communicate with animals and protect their habitat. It’s quirky, creative, and exactly the kind of imaginative premise Pixar thrives on. But beneath the humor and adventure, the story also touches on something bigger, and it’s all about how humans connect with the natural world and the responsibility we have to protect it.
Those kinds of themes are part of what has kept Pixar culturally relevant for decades.
But for me, nights like this are also personal.
My husband Sebastian has been part of so many of my favorite memories, from traveling together to spontaneous nights out that turn into stories we tell for years, and he’s seen me cry through, pretty much, all Pixar films. Russell is one of those friends who understands how stories matter and we love talking about all of this, such as books, movies and music, and to me these are the things that move us and stay with us long after the moment passes. And I’ve got so many memories with Russ since we met at Florida International University, and this includes enjoying many concerts and movies together.
There’s something special about sitting in a theater together waiting for the lights to dim and that familiar Pixar lamp to appear on the screen.
For a couple of hours, the outside world quiets down and you let a story take you somewhere else.
In a time when the world can feel overwhelming and the news cycle rarely slows down, that kind of shared experience matters. Movies still bring people together. They create moments of collective laughter, surprise, and emotion that remind us how powerful storytelling can be.
And Pixar has always been particularly good at that.
So tonight, I’ll walk into the theater with Sebastian and Russell ready to see what kind of adventure Hoppers brings. If Pixar history has taught me anything, it’s that the best stories don’t just entertain us.
They remind us of the joy of imagination, and why it still matters.
To buy tickets and for more information on Hoppers visit pixar.com/hoppers.
